Hello 2021

"New year, new me"

Just joking - new years resolutions are not for me. I like to go with the flow and see where we end up, with some little short term planning along the way.

2020 threw some curve balls for us. It was all about confidence and enjoying the moment.

Due to the lockdowns we didn't get out as much as we usually would, but we started the year pretty well. In January we went to Aston le Walls for some 80cm Arena Eventing. We had had a little break from jumping the back end of 2019, and this was our first time out. He was a super star around some full up showjumps and a long XC course which included ditches, water and some spooky jumps!

We did some arena hire throughout February, and entered and filmed our first Online Dressage competition - winning the class! In March we headed to Allens Hill for some dressage. They run Veteran Classes there, and we competed in the 2 x Prelim tests they were doing. It felt great to put on our show gear and really get into competing again

Unfortunately, not long after going to Allens Hill, Pepsi fell lame. He was not quite right in front, and we decided to give him some time off. It was frustrating as there was no heat, no swelling, no physical signs of where the lameness could be coming from, he just didn't feel 100%. We did weeks of hand grazing, in-hand walking and a couple of weeks box rest. Luckily he is very food orientated so didn't run around too much when we began turning him back out - he loves the grass too much! This lameness came pretty much at the same time as the National lockdown at the end of March. Which, to be honest was a blessing in disguise. Originally the advise from the government was not to ride - so this was convenient for us. Working from home meant that I got more time in the mornings and evenings with Pepsi as I didn't have a commute or have to get ready for work. I read so many books as I was standing watching him eat the grass round the farm, and had some time to slow down.

We started to bring him back into work slowly, there was no rush as we were all pretty much still locked down. At the end of April I got back on and he felt good! Throughout the next couple of months we worked at getting rid of the lockdown belly that we all seemed to have obtained 😋 We did a lot of hacking and exploring. My Grandad had spent the whole of the first lockdown alone, so when he started to feel safe enough to go for little walks, I hacked to his house to say hello, and it brightened up his day. When Pepsi felt strong enough, and the rules were relaxed a bit we ventured out for some arena hires, and a trip to the gallops

I also had the pleasure of meeting a fellow Instagrammer, Nofa (@the_wishful_eventer), at Sutton Park. We had so much fun, and judging by Pepsi's antics I think he was feeling brighter! I have met some lovely lovely people through Instagram

Throughout the last couple of years, we had been slowing Pepsi down slightly - lower jumps, easier dressage tests, weeks off from competing. He isn't getting any younger, and I think the break we had at the start of the year taught us that injury's take a bit longer to heal when horses are that little bit older. It also reminded me of how special he really is, and how much he means to our family. The start of the year was difficult for so many reasons, and still being able to visit the yard and remain in our routine makes me feel so lucky and grateful. I have always thought we would think about getting another pony soon, to have alongside Pepsi, to take the pressure of his workload a little bit. Selfishly, I still want to compete like I used to for so many years with Pep, and rejoin my riding club teams and I have absolutely no intention of pushing him beyond his means. He is much happier now competing at lower levels and I enjoy that much more with him now, knowing that he is comfortable, healthy and willing enough to kep on giving.

In July I found a lovely lovely horse, from a family I knew and we agreed on a loan for a couple of months. Unfortunately, I have learnt (the hard way), that life doesn't always go the way you want it to, and our first ride at my yard was not as we all hoped. I broke a rib, tore my spleen, and fractured a part of my arm which meets the elbow, from a completely freak accident. I had really bad bruising all over my arm, and had muscle injuries in my legs. Despite the pandemic, the ambulance came out to our yard incredibly fast, and my hospital experience was really good - very very grateful for the NHS.

So that was me out of action for a while. I couldn't really walk properly, and I wasn't allowed to drive for 2 weeks - which meant no pony time! Emotionally, it also completely knocked my confidence and positivity. I was so excited and thankful to be given the opportunity to have this pony to ride and compete and get going again with, but it was all taken away from me so quickly. It wasn't meant to be, and I am hoping that when we are out of lockdown I can go and visit them and say hello.

Around the same time as this, we discovered Pepsi was having difficulty eating, and was holding on to his bit a lot in the bridle. We had his teeth checked and our dentist suggested he may have something called EOTRH - a syndrome which causes lesions and possible infections in the incisor teeth - which is quite common in older horses. Luckily, after some x rays we discovered his teeth were okay, there was a slight disfigurement in one of his teeth but it was nothing to worry about - what a relief. However for the x rays he had to be sedated, and at the same time we did cushings and EMS blood tests due to his age. His EMS score/rating came back extremely high, and the vet was surprised and shocked that he didn't have laminitis.

He was put on a strict diet and exercise regime. We knew he was packing a bit of extra weight, but not this bad. He went swimming twice a week at Arden Equine Pool - our life savers. He lost the weight pretty dramatically. My mum was top top super groom throughout all of this. With me out of action and not being able to ride or help with the chores, she did everything by herself - I am so grateful to her. Pepsi lost 40kg and his EMS score went back to normal for his age/type, and this is all down to her hard work and determination. This was a difficult and emotional time for us. Paired with the fall, the pandemic and a Pepsi health scare, we all found it hard to deal with. The sun, and late summer was very welcome.

20th September - I got back on! With the help of my mum, my friends and my new BFF, the air jacket.

I spent the next couple of months restoring my confidence and continuing with the fitness work for Pepsi. I absolutely did not think I would be brave enough to get back competing so soon - end of October we re visited Allens Hill and had a lovely time in the sun! We did lots more hacking and suddenly the end of the year was upon us.

Don't worry though - I continued my ream of bad luck right to the last minute, as came a cropper from a humungous bronking session whilst XC schooling 3 days before the New Year. I smashed my face into his neck and then landed face first onto the arena floor. Que a possible broken nose, and bruising which has now lasted a week....and counting...

Lets hope for a more positive, and 'less injured' 2021 hey!

Happy New Year 🎇